How to make steam water heating in your house. Heating scheme for a private house - steam and water. Basic elements of a steam system

There are several restrictions on the use of steam heating, but despite them, it is often used as an autonomous one. Most owners choose steam heating in a private home for a small amount of construction costs. Steam as a coolant produces a higher temperature, reducing fuel costs for the boiler. Let's figure out how to use this economical type of heating to heat a cottage.

Before using steam heating in a private home, you need to study it in more detail. This coolant has advantages:

Reducing installation prices is certainly very attractive, but before starting project development, you need to take into account the disadvantages of such systems:

steam makes noise when moving along the highway;
radiators heat up to 100 degrees;
in case of a breakthrough, the emergency danger is the highest;
Coolants are highly susceptible to corrosion.

Steam systems are prohibited from being used in public residential areas. They switched to a safer type of heating - water. To heat a two-story or classic private house, everyone has the right to install the most suitable type of heating lines.

The main and most expensive element of steam heating is the boiler, which heats the water. It is most rational to use models that run on wood or gas. Hot steam moves along a circuit passing through all rooms, and as it cools, it condenses on the pipes. After it has changed its state of aggregation to liquid, the condensate is collected in a special container and pumped back to the boiler. There is another option for returning it to the system - using inclined pipes. Depending on the chosen type of return creation, the circuits are either closed or open. The closed version requires careful study of the project and precise installation, which creates the correct slope of the pipes.

The steam pressure in the mains can be different, depending on the type of network:

for a regular one - more than 1, but less than 6 atmospheres;
for vacuum it is equal to atmospheric.

The heat supply can be regulated using special valves. If you need to stop heating your home, simply turn off the steam supply. Use only traditional radiators or finned tubular structures as heat emitters.

Construction of highways

First you need to develop a project, take a ready-made diagram as a basis. This will make it easier for you to calculate the number of pipes, radiators and necessary equipment. Pipes can be purchased with a small diameter, but only made of metal, since polypropylene options cannot withstand the steam temperature.

Despite existing restrictions on the use of steam heating, it is periodically used as an autonomous one. Often the reason for this is the lower costs of its creation. If you decide that this suits you, you need to take into account that you will have to do the steam heating yourself.

Project comes first

When deciding to create steam heating, one must be aware that in this case the coolant will be steam with all the associated features. Among them, it is necessary to note the most important one - the increased temperature of the radiators, which results in a significant likelihood of getting a burn if touched. But leaving aside all sorts of pros and cons, let’s just see how you can become the owner of steam heating by installing it yourself in a private home.

About the boiler

As it should be in any serious business, you need to start with a project. The first step is to determine the power of the thermal boiler. It depends on the area of the house. So, with an area not exceeding two hundred square meters, a power of up to twenty-five kilowatts will be sufficient, with a house area of up to three hundred square meters. m. will already require a power of up to thirty kilowatts. Based on such data, a steam boiler is selected. In addition to its power, the following factors must be taken into account:

type of fuel used for work (coal, firewood, peat, gas, diesel fuel, etc.);
possibility of obtaining hot water for household needs.

Choosing a boiler will be one of the main tasks, the successful solution of which will determine the answer to the question of how to properly make steam heating.

About the heating scheme

It must also be determined before starting work. The steam heating scheme depends on:

size of heated area;
the number and location of heating batteries, filters, valves and control valves, control devices, etc., everything that is necessary for the normal functioning of such a system;
possibilities for equipment placement;
where and how the heating boiler will be located.

The question of choosing a specific heating option is quite complex, perhaps a video would be useful in this situation

Steam heating pipes

As already mentioned, with steam heating the entire system is characterized by an increased temperature, so the use of synthetic pipes is impossible; they are not designed to operate at such temperatures. So, when determining how to make steam heating, you need to pay special attention to the choice of pipes; although it is small, it is there.

Steel pipes. To use them you need welding equipment. The advantage of pipes is their high mechanical strength and the ability to withstand significant impacts, but they are susceptible to corrosion.
Copper. Soldering is used for their installation and they are expensive.
Galvanized and stainless steel pipes. They combine the advantages of the previous ones, joining is carried out using threads, are resistant to corrosion, but have an increased price.

To facilitate further work, it is necessary to determine where to place radiators (or other devices, if you prefer them), the length of the pipes, the location of adapters, branches, manifold distributors, etc. In short, a steam heating connection diagram must be drawn out on paper indicating all the necessary details (equipment, pipe length, etc.).

About the price of such a system

Once the project is completed and you are clear on what equipment to use, you can determine your costs. Without reference to specific conditions, equipment, pipes, volumes of installation work, it is impossible to say specifically how much it costs to install steam heating.

The only thing that can be noted is the testimony of experts that such a heating system is cheaper than a conventional one, although it is not approved for use in residential premises.

Installation work

After drawing up the project and clarifying its features (we will assume that you already know where, what and how it will be located and fastened), you can begin to install the system itself. If necessary, prepare the surface where radiators are installed.

After this, the boiler is installed in compliance with the necessary requirements for connecting water and energy, radiators are attached, pipes are laid, valves, necessary control devices, control valves, etc. are located in the right places. To help you complete the work, it will be useful to watch the video:

The use of steam to heat residential premises is not a common heating option, especially since this is prohibited by current standards and regulations. However, for economic reasons, as it is cheaper, it is sometimes performed on its own. This may be a justified solution for various industrial buildings, garages and workshops, but not residential premises.

A quick, economical and effective solution for heating private homes is to install steam heating. And although there are many alternative options, it remains one of the most popular heating systems today. If you have a strong desire and basic knowledge, you can do it yourself, especially if the house has a stove.

Types of steam systems

Having definitely decided to install steam heating throughout the house, you must first decide on its type, and based on this, carry out a heating project.

A prerequisite for creating such a scheme is the presence of heat sources from which the pipes will be separated; this can be a boiler or furnace.

There are three wiring diagrams for steam heating:

Single-circuit . It is easy to set up and requires minimal financial costs. It is used only for heating premises, more often used for warehouses and production facilities;
Dual-circuit . A more complex system that uses steam to heat radiators and hot water. It is productive, therefore it is most often used for residential buildings;
Manifold pipe placement . They are connected into one system using distribution manifolds. All batteries are controlled from the distribution cabinet.

What do you need for do-it-yourself steam heating?

Whatever connection scheme is chosen, you should prepare in advance all the tools necessary for its installation and purchase the required materials:

Pipes. They can be steel, stainless steel, galvanized or copper. The last option is the most reliable and environmentally friendly, because they never clog, but it is also the most expensive. Plastic products for this heating are prohibited;
Steam generator;
Shut-off valves;
Equipment that heats the coolant;
Control and measuring devices;
Radiators are based on the assumption that they need to be installed under each window (more details about calculating the number of radiators -);
Connecting elbows and clamps;
Pressure reducing valve.

Having everything you need on hand, you can proceed directly to steam heating.

Step-by-step creation of a steam system from a boiler

Installation work for installing such heating is carried out in several stages:

Drawing up a plan and drawing of the exact placement of pipes . The plan will need to be approved by the relevant authorities. It should indicate the position of each radiator, the location of the boiler and the inlet valve;
Installation of radiators . Most often, they are located under the windows, which protects their glass from fogging and displaces the freezing of the window sill to the outside of the building;
Making a foundation for the boiler . It is necessary to cover the walls around the place chosen for it with non-combustible material and prepare a concrete foundation;
Boiler installation . Its bottom should be located below the installed pipelines and radiators. It is necessary to provide for the installation of pressure sensors; be sure to include a pressure gauge;
Fastening the expansion tank . It should be located at the highest point of the heating system between the boiler and the radiator closest to it. The tank can be chosen as open or closed, with or without overflow;
Pipe connection . First, the selected pipe is taken from the boiler to the first radiator, it is cut to the required length and inputs and outputs are made. Then, using the same pipes, subsequent radiators are connected to each other;
Closing a loop . The pipes return to the heat generator and form a complete loop system.

The main thing in this whole scheme is to maintain the tightness of all joints so that when heating is started there are no coolant leaks. The heating boiler can be installed in a building adjacent to the house, for example a garage.

How to make steam heating from a stove?

If the house has a stove, its owners are doubly lucky: such an attribute is a real decoration of the interior of the room, and it can also be used in a steam system and heat the entire house.

Such heating can be performed in only one circuit. The pipeline leaving the furnace is located higher than the pipes going to the boiler. This way you can ensure normal operation of the coolant.

If the stove is brick, then you need to place a heat exchanger in it, which is made individually for each stove. It is a coil consisting of pipes of the same diameter, connected by welding.

The installation process of the heating system is similar to the previous option. Its brief description is as follows:

Install radiators, provide air release valves on each of them;
Connect pipes with a slope of 3 mm along the length of the wall;
Install a cooling unit and a pressure reducing valve at the beginning of the circuit, and at the end, place a tank for condensate that will drain into it;
Place a pump in front of the stove.

If for some reason you are not satisfied with steam heating, you can do it. It is also a very economical method.

Simplified steam heating system (video)

This is a simple option for heating a room, which is based on the principle of operation of the famous Grover heat pipe, only on a large scale. The video shows a patented use of this action.

The operating principle is based on a special heat transfer process:

One part of the tube is heated, and the liquid in it turns into steam;
As soon as the steam leaves the heated liquid, it hits the cold surface, there it becomes a liquid again and flows to its original place;
The process is accompanied by the release of thermal energy through the walls of the vessel;
The cooled liquid obtained from the steam is heated again and the heat exchange is repeated.

In the video provided by the author, he talks about how he has been heating the building using this principle for 12 years. The building with high ceilings and an area of 100 m2 is heated by three 11-meter pipes. In each of them, a heating element with a power of 3 kW is welded at one end. The pipes are located along the walls at a slight angle. They are filled with liquid, which, when heated, turns into a vapor state. Filling of the coolant is carried out through the fitting, which is located at the end of the pipe opposite the heating element. When the pipe is filled with coolant, the remaining steam is discharged.

During the operation of such a heating system, the heating elements were changed only once, and so it has been working properly all these years.

Steam heating has been used for many years; it is in demand due to its simple installation and effective heating of the room. This is an economical option for those who want to heat their own home. Having thought through all the possible installation nuances and providing for the optimal placement of radiators, you can create comfortable conditions at home in the winter.

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The convenience and comfort of living in a country house or in a house outside the city depends entirely on engineering systems and structures, one of the most important parts of which, of course, is.

A large house, naturally, will need a circuit with forced circulation of steam through the system.

Forced circulation circuit

Disadvantages can become advantages

Steam heating can turn its disadvantages in the opposite direction and become indispensable, for example, at the dacha - where, with a fairly infrequent visit, the greatest value is the ability to warm up the house in the shortest possible time. This task can be easily handled by the steam heating system of a private house, which, as we said above, has the ability to heat quickly and very intensely.

At the same time, the steam system has the possibility of very quick preservation, which will be required at the time of departure, which, undoubtedly, is an additional bonus.

Thus, steam heating looks like an ideal option, emphasizing all its most important advantages that are necessary in this particular situation - speed, intensity, convenience, mobility, savings.

In addition, it is possible to connect the steam system to the heating system of the stove - and this is an indisputable advantage that allows you to increase the comfort of the room while reducing costs.

It is enough just to place a steam boiler in the firebox of an ordinary stove used for heating and install the heating system in other rooms. Thus, the heating of the room will become even more intense and extensive, which will increase the comfort of your dacha many times over.

Unfortunately, with all the advantages of steam heating, this system will not be the best option for a private home with long-term residence. In addition, current sanitary and hygienic standards do not provide for the use of such heating in residential premises, but, nevertheless, some of its advantages, especially low cost, contribute to the spread of this type of heating in residential buildings.

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The advantage of private home ownership is individual heating. The owner himself makes the decision about the beginning and end of the heating season. The ability to adjust the temperature allows you to save money. Many homeowners prefer a steam heating system due to its economical and efficient operation. Steam heating will be discussed below.

Steam heating - how does it work?

The source of thermal energy in a steam heating system is a steam generator - boiler. When water boils, steam is released, which flows through pipes into heating devices. Moving through the system, the steam condenses and settles on the walls of radiators or convectors, giving off most of the heat. When heating, heating devices give off their heat to the surrounding space and heat the room in which they are located. This explains the high performance of the steam heating system. During the condensation of one kilogram of steam, more than 2400 kJ of thermal energy is released; at a steam temperature of 50 degrees, only 110 kJ is released.

Steam circulation is carried out thanks to a reduction-cooling unit (RCU) or a steam turbine. Once in the working system, the steam condenses and returns in liquid form to the steam generator, closing the cycle. In closed systems, steam flows back into the boiler by gravity; the pipeline is laid in such a way that a slight slope is formed in the direction of the boiler. When using a closed-type system, it is necessary to ensure that there is a pressure difference between the place where the steam enters and the exit point sufficient for the liquid to flow out. The steam collector should be placed much lower than the heating appliances. In open-type systems, water flows into storage tanks and, thanks to a pump, is pumped to the steam generator.

To avoid problems during operation, you should purchase certified equipment. This will not only increase the reliability of the system, but also make it safer.

There are two types of pipeline layout: one-pipe and two-pipe. In the first case, steam moves through one pipe, in the second - through two: steam moves through one, and condensate returns through the second. In private households, the second type of wiring is mainly used, which makes it possible to independently regulate the temperature in the system using special valves. In the single-pipe version, you can reduce the temperature only by reducing the power of the boiler or turning off the heating. In cold weather, this can lead to insufficient heating.

Pros and cons of the system – which outweighs?

Steam heating in a private house is installed due to the following advantages of the system:

low cost and economic benefits;
the system can be used all year round, the coolant will never freeze;
heat is supplied through convection and radiation, which increases efficiency;
pipes with a smaller diameter and small-sized radiators can be used for installation;
Regardless of the size of the heated room, steam enters any point of the heating system without losing its temperature;
the rooms warm up quickly;
heat loss is almost reduced to zero, high heat transfer coefficient;
Possibility of connection with heated floors.

When choosing a steam heating system, you need to be aware of its disadvantages. As steam circulates through the system, it creates a lot of noise. Heating equipment can heat up to temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, which creates a risk of burns upon contact with human skin, so it is better to cover heating radiators with a protective screen. High heating temperatures create a risk of a dangerous emergency situation in the event of a gust. Instability to corrosive processes reduces the service life of the system.

Selection of pipes – steel, copper or stainless steel?

When choosing pipes for a steam system, one of the main guidelines will be their cost. The following types of pipes are suitable:

1. Steel. To install steel pipes, a welding machine is required. The advantage of steel pipes is their high strength characteristics and resistance to mechanical stress. Disadvantage: susceptibility to corrosion. To increase service life, pipes are treated with special anti-corrosion substances.
2. Copper. High-temperature soldering is used during installation. They can withstand high temperatures, have excellent reliability and strength, which allows you to hide pipes in walls. The main disadvantage is the high cost.
3. Stainless and galvanized. This type of pipe combines the advantages of the previous two: they are corrosion resistant and durable. Easy to install thanks to the threaded connection. The disadvantage is the same as with copper pipes - high price.

The elevated temperatures possible in a steam heating system make it impossible to use plastic and metal-plastic pipes, since they are not adapted to operate at high temperatures. The steam system pipeline is conventionally divided into two components: the condensate pipeline and the steam pipeline. From the name it is not difficult to guess their purpose. Steam lines supply steam to the heating system. Condensate lines serve to drain accumulated condensate.

Along with the pipes, we also select heating devices. It is recommended to install devices made of cast iron, steel, and aluminum as radiators. The best option is cast iron batteries; they are durable and reliable, withstanding high temperatures.

How to calculate boiler power - simple arithmetic

The basis of the heating system is the boiler; for its efficient operation, it is necessary to correctly calculate the heating area of the premises that it will heat, that is, the power must correspond to the load. The ratio of boiler power and heated area is given below:

25 kW – area from 60 to 200 sq. m;
25-35 kW – area from 200 to 300 sq. m;
35-60 kW – area from 60 to 200 sq. m;
60-100 kW – area from 600 to 1200 sq. m.

To do this correctly, you need to be guided by the following formula: for every 100 sq. m of heated area should account for 10 kW of power.

Types of heating boilers depend on the fuel used for operation. Boilers operating on solid liquid fuel, natural gas, and combined boilers are produced. There are electric models that are advantageous to install in areas with cheap electricity rates at night. Steam pressure depends on the type of heating system; in a steam system it should be 6 atmospheres or slightly higher. In the case of a vacuum-steam system, the pressure may be below atmospheric. Boilers must have a pressure gauge installed to measure pressure.

The heating unit consists of a firebox, burner and ash pan. The main element is the drum, to which instrumentation, piping, pressure gauge and fuses are attached. For the steam system, gas-tube and water-tube boilers are used. The second type of boiler is more common, as they have a higher potential.

In a private house, you can make a steam boiler with your own hands from a stove. But in this case, it cannot combine heating functions with heating water or cooking. For a steam generator - a container in which water will be heated and steam will be generated, you can adapt a home-made coil. It is welded from pipes and placed above the stove. Before use on the coil, it is necessary to check the quality of the connections to ensure that there are no leaks.

Heating installation - is it really that simple?

When installing steam heating with your own hands, take into account the size of the heated area, the number and location of radiators, shut-off and control equipment, filters and other elements necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the system. The circulation pump and steam fans must be selected to ensure efficient circulation of the coolant. It is important to take into account where the equipment will be located and how far away the steam boiler will be located.

To make steam heating yourself, you need to prepare the following equipment and materials:

steam generator (boiler);
pipes for laying the main line;
radiators;
instrumentation;
shut-off and control valves.

The design documentation must indicate the length of the pipes, their number and diameter, as well as the radiators or other heating elements used. All this must be put on paper in the form of a diagram with a detailed description of all the nuances. When the design and diagram are ready, we begin installation. The system is installed strictly according to the diagram.

1. At the first step, we prepare the surfaces to which the equipment will be attached. We install brackets on the walls that will hold the radiators. Then we attach the heating devices to the walls. They should be located under windows to prevent the appearance of cold drafts: air flows coming from outside will immediately heat up. In addition, this will prevent windows from fogging and move the “dew point”.
2. Next, install the boiler (steam generator) on a concrete base. We insulate the floor with fireproof material. It is better to place it in the basement, since the fumes rise upward (or in the garage). If you plan to install heated floors, then it is better to buy a double-circuit boiler, which will separate the work for the house and the floors. In this case, we place the steam generator above the floor surface.
3. We install the expansion tank using special fasteners at the highest point of the heating system; it must be included in the line between the steam generator and radiators. According to the recommendations of experts, an open tank should be installed at the closest distance to the heating boiler.
4. At the next stage, we install the pipeline. We will start the wiring with the steam generator. We connect the pipe from it to the first heating device; if necessary, we cut it off if it is too long. Then we connect all the inputs and outputs. Similarly, we connect the pipe to the next device until we connect all the heating parts into a single pipeline. The pipes are installed with a slope of 3 mm per meter for natural circulation.
5. We equip each battery with a Mayevsky tap so that it is possible to remove any air pockets that have formed that will interfere with the efficient operation of the system.
6. In front of the steam generator, we install a storage tank in which condensate will collect, and then, at a natural slope, the water will flow into the heating boiler.
7. We close the main line to the heating boiler, thus creating a closed circuit. We install a filter on the boiler; it will trap dirt particles contained in the water, and, if possible, a circulation pump. The pipe leading from the pump to the boiler should be smaller in diameter than the other pipes.
8. At the boiler outlet we install control and measuring instruments: a pressure gauge and a relief valve.
9. We include a drain/fill unit in the system to pump out coolant from the system at the end of the heating season or during repairs.
10. After installation is completed, we check the system for operability and the presence of leaks. We fix all detected problems.

The use of steam heating is cheaper than water heating, but it is not recommended to install it in residential premises due to the risk of an emergency in the event of a leak.